The Guardia di Finanza of Turin, under the coordination of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, has successfully conducted a major operation to defend made in Italy in the agro-food sector. The investigation, named “Via dei semi”, uncovered a fraudulent system selling vegetable seeds, including tomatoes, chili peppers, and green beans, of foreign origin but falsely marketed as Italian.
Searches targeted multiple sites, particularly in the provinces of Turin and Piacenza, leading to the seizure of 263 tons of seeds already packaged in nearly 2 million bags with misleading labels. These packages bore images, signs, and names falsely suggesting Italian origins, such as San Marzano tomatoes and stortino green beans from Trento.
The core of the investigation
The investigation revealed a well-established supply chain: the seeds primarily originated from China, India, Hungary, and Tanzania. They were packaged at a production site in Piacenza, using symbols like the Italian flag and names of traditional products without any actual link to Italian production. Investigators estimated the seized goods’ market value at over €38 million.
Additionally, 29 industrial machines used for seed packaging were confiscated. These machines were employed to produce bags ready for national distribution, increasing the risk of agro-food fraud and tarnishing the reputation of genuine Italian products.
Towards stricter protection of made in Italy
The operation aims to act not only as a deterrent but also as a preventive measure. One goal is to promote transparency in packaging practices, requiring operators to clearly indicate the seeds’ true origin. This step is vital to protect both consumers and honest entrepreneurs, ensuring accurate information and safeguarding the Italian market from deceptive practices.
While this result marks a significant achievement, it is important to remember that the individuals involved remain presumed innocent until proven guilty, as guaranteed by the Italian judicial system.
